A key truth to understanding the OT that many have not known - good to see this come out. The whole Bible is about “Jesus Christ and Him crucified...” from beginning to end.
And yes, obedience (to light received) is also key to receiving more light. If we are not faithful to what God has shown us, He generally will not give us more understanding.
BUT, I believe more important than both of these is this: to understand scripture, we need the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our heart. Eph. 1:15 - 17. The Bible is a spirtual book and cannot be understood with the human brain alone. The human mind cannot understand it. I Corin. 2:14-16.
We must approach scripture with great humility, asking the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the spiritual truth hidden within. History is full of men (and women) who have tried to explain/understand scripture on their own - and proven it is impossible.
Each time we open the Bible, we should ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our heart to see what is hidden.
If we do, we will find the depths of truth - all about Jesus Christ - are unfathomable - and even a lifetime of study cannot begin to tap the height, depth, breadth and width of an understanding of Who Jesus Christ is and who God is.
It will take all of eternity for that.
My pastor often says, "If you want to know God's will but aren't hearing from Him, go back and do the last thing you're sure He did tell you to do (but haven't yet done); once you have, then He'll reveal to you the next step."
Sublimely stated, in its entirety. You get it. I'm reminded of what Jesus said when Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, that only God could have revealed that to him. As with you.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Amen! Good post.